Match-making machine.



No. 654,8!5. Patent ed July 3|, I900.

E. B. smcxma;

MATCH MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed May 17, 1900.:

4 SheetsSheet (No Model.)

l N ENTOR m: NORRIS Pmns co, PHDTO-UTHO" wnsulucrou. n c

Patented l'uly 3|, I900.

' E. B. STOCKING.

MATCH MAKING MACHINE.

(Application fll ed ay 17, 1900 4\ Sheets--Sheet 2,

(No Model.)

W1 T/VESSES No. 654,8!5. Patehted July 3|, I900.

E B. STOCKING. MATCH MAKING MACHINE.

(Application 'filqd May 1'}, 1900.) (N0 Mo m 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

NVE/VTOR .No. 654 ,8|5. Patented July 3|, I900.

E. B. STOCKING.

HATCH MAKING IACHINE.

' m umion filed May 17, 1900.) 7 (N0 llo eh) 4 Sheets-Shaei 4.

f/VVEN TOR l V/NVESSES: Yr I UNITED ST T P T NT" omee.

EDGAR B. STOCKING, or WASHINGTON, premier on COLUMBIA.

" .MATCH-MAKING Mast-NE SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent Ne. 654,815, dated July 31, 1966.

Application filed May 17, 1500.;

To 41% whom itjnay concern:

Be it known that I, EDGAR B. STOCKING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Making Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therei'nto the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to match-machines and-to that classof machines in which a cut ter-h'ead seve'rs from a'block of wood a row' of splints and inserts the same into a carrier adapted to receive and transport a continuous series of such rows of splints from the cutter-head to a paraffin-tank into which the splints are dipped, and from thence to a composition-tank, Where they are again dipped into an igniting compound, and from thence through a suitable distance and for a time necessary to dry said composition (aided or not by the application of heat) to a point where the completed matches are discharged from the carrier, which finally thereafter arrives at the place'of the insertion of fresh supplies of splints, the travel of the carrier being essentially in an endless path, and this either by a continuous or intermittent movement.

This invention relates particularly to that character of match-machines in which are employed a series of match-splint-clamping bars which are independent and separable from each other and from carriers, chains, or other means for transporting said bars in their endless path, whereby when separated from such carrying means" adjacent bars may be separated from and moved into contact with each other for'the purpose of discharging completed matches therefrom and formceiving and clamping match-splints between them.

Among the objects in View is the avoidance of what is known as a curved path, the sprockets with or without polygonal hubs, and the spring-fingers employed with a curved path through or in which the bars move, and the knockers to bring the bars into clamping relation at said curved path. All of these elements are dispensed with by myinvention.

A further object is to provide a construction in which the discharging and the clamping functions may each be performed while serial No. 17,012. (No' model.)

the bars involved are in a single plane that is, in a straight patliand another purpose is to accomplish the discharging and clamping functions by the most simple and at the same time most effective means, and this without interfering with the continuous movement of that portion of the series of bars which are workirig-that is, which are supplied with splints or completed matches and which are being carried in other portions of the endless p'ath' above described.

Other objects and advantages will be mentioned in the following description, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly'pointed out in the claims.

Before proceeding 'to a detailed description of the mechanical construction involved in my invention it will aid a clear understanding of the same to state generally my method of arranging and controlling the bars wherei by a space or spaces are formed between adjacent bars, splints introduced into and matches discharged from said space or spaces, and the bar at the introducing space brought into clamping relation with the next bar thereto. This work is accomplished by removing the extraneous carrier or bar-moving means from a desired numberor series of bars constituting the idle bars and taking out a bar, or it may be bars, from such number or series from which the moving means has been removed, so as to form a space either solely at the discharging-point or solely above the cut ter-head for receiving splints, and also taking out a bar or bars from such' number or series to form a space at both the "discharging and receiving points of the series, A suitable locality in the machine for this workis'that which is known as the headf of the ma chine, in which the cutter-head is located, and in case'a single space only is employed for both receiving and discharging it is located above said cutter-head or in close proximity thereto.

When the receiving and discharging spaces are formed separately, by removing one or more bars the intermediate bars are utilized as a means for closing the receiving-space as a bar is moved to discharge matches at the discharging-space, or separate, similar, or dissimilar means may be employedfor moving a bar at each space, to at one space deliver ICO ' headior splint-receiving and match-discharg ing-port'ions of .a match-machine provided-1 v Fig. '1 is a detail in; perspective. Fig. 2 is .a perspective of vthel mainportion-of one forrn of one of thelmatchj splint-clampingbars which may be employed. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 f Fig. Fig.4 .is a :side elevation of two links of a. chain .orrend-less carrier in cooperative posi-r tionon two-ofthe bars shownin Figs. 2eand 3. Fig. 5 is a perspective of one of the links shown in Figs. vland 4. Fig. 6 isa vertical. transverse section, extended,of Fig. 7. Fig.7 1 isanelevation of a -portion of the bar-guides tion-of the invention.

through ltheendless working-bar .path of the.

machine. This passage is preferably continuous, although it may be intermittent, and in. the former case the operations of the space forming and closing means are so timed that as a fresh bar arrives at the dischargingspace a bar is moved into clamping relation at the receiving-space, and thus no interference with a continuous passage of bars in the endless path occurs. It is understood-that a working bar is one in clamping relation with either splints or withcompleted matches, while-an idle bar is onehaving at least one face not-in contact with eithersplints-or matches.

M As theparaflin and composition tanks and dipping mechanism form no partof the illvention theyare neither shown nordescribed, and .theyc'an be of any well-known construction. It may therefore be understood that the left and right extremities of the cooperativelyarranged devices herein shown and-de-- scribedare conti-nuations of the well-known endless working-bar path of acarrier, as hereinbefore described.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a substantially central vertical section of the with my invention.

and a' bar-moving sprocket, with bars insection, drawn in full size.

andbargspacing means. cation ofthe match discharging means. 7 .Fig.

12 is5a still further=modified form of bar-mov-j ingand bar-spacing means. Fig. 13 isa perspective of the match-clamping bar shown in Fig. 12. 'Fig. 14 is a plan of a series of said bars in clampingrelation. Figs. 15, :16, and117 are diagrammatic views ofthe relative cooporation ofsaid barsandtheinoving andspacv ing device shown in Fig. 12.

.Like characters of reference indicate like. parts throughout the several figures -.of the.

drawings.

Inall cases iafterlbars are brought- Fig. 8'is a-modifica Fig.8 is adu plicate. 'Fig. -9 is amendelevation, partly in section, on line 9:9 of Fig. 8. Fig. lOisanother modification Fig. 11 is a :mod'ifb.

1 represents the frame of the head of a match-machine.

2 arethe guides above and 'belowthe' splintreceiving and match-clamping bars. These guides or their equivalents are, it is understood, extended throughout the endless path traveled by the working bars for applying parafiin and an igniting compound and for drying the same, as is usual.

In Fig. 1, 4 is a cutter-head having cutters -5,-adapted to form splints 6 from a block of wood 7., the cutter-head being reciprocated 'byrod 8 and crank-shaft 9, all of well-known @construction. The arrows 10 represent the direction of the travel of the bars 3 through the head of the machine. 11' represents the discharging-space,and 12 thereceiving space, formed by theremoval ofia bar at one or at each-of said points .-in the series of bars that fill or would fill therdistance'from-one .of said spaces to theother, and't'his series comprises theidle-bars ofthe entire seriesin the machine, in that they are unoccupied byeither splints 6 or completed matches '13, and constitute a supply .from which bars .are successively moved into clamping relationand -then transferred to the working bars of the machine. As the bars .3, bearing a rowof completed matches, arrive at discharging-space 11 the forward bar of a pair having matches thereinbetween is quickly moved forward in the line of travel of the series, forming anew 'the dischargingspace .11, when the "row 0f matches fallupon a movingbelt 1-4., which delivers them from the "machine. Now the movement of the forward 'bar of the pair just mentioned carries with it .all interveningidlebars (shown inFigQ-l-asextending to thesplint-receivingspace 1-2;) so that .the

case space 1-1 is also the receiving-space,as it maybe, (see Fig..8,)lthe said forward bar of the pair) is brought into clamping relation with the next bar in front-of it, so asitoseize and carrythe splints -6 brought up by the cutters 5. This movement of the idle bars may be accomplished 'by various means, which'by reasons of the straightness of thepath formed by the guides 2 2 may be exceedingly simple, accurate, and eifect-ive in operation. Oneform of such means consists of a'barmover comprising arms 15,-connected,it:'ma y be,-by across-bar or by amatch-contacting plate 16,to;positivel y throw-down the'matches 13,which arms are each carried byalever :17, pivoted at'18 in a standard 19 on frame '1. For adjusting "the time of contact ofwarms 15 with the bars3 the-end of lev'er 1:7 -isscrewthreaded-andpassesthroughopenings20inthe arms,while nuts 21 serve tohold the arm-sin an adjusted position. The lever 1-7is oscillated on itspivot bya connecti-ngsrod-22,;pivoted-to'the cross-head its connection therewith passing througha slot 49in the frame 1. For determining the extent-ofthe bar-movingaction of theearms 15 a turnbuckle-26 or otherequiv- 'f oremost bar of said intervening bars 2(or in IIO alent adjustment of the length of the rod 22 is provided, as, within certain limits, the greater the length of rod 22' the farther arms will move the idle bars, the limits in the construction described being sufficient to bring bars in clamping relation at the receiving-space into control of the workingbar-moving means. It will be seen that when properly timed the bar-movers 15 will begin to act just as the cutter-head is bringing up a row of splints and will complete their bar-moving function an instant before the cutter-head descends, leaving the splints clamped by bars. The momentary rest occurring when the crank 9 is on its upper dead-center facilitates the described operation. a

Any desired means may be employed for moving the working bars through the usual endless path of the machine, and the bars may be so constructed at their ends to adapt them to any known form of bar-carrier so long as they are capable of independent separation from such carrier as may be employed.

In Figs. 1 to 5 I have shown a workingbar-nloving means comprising a chain comprising links 23, each of which has two lower bar-moving teeth 24, an upper link-moving for the reception of rivets.

tooth 25, and an end slot 26, adapted to receive an end tenon 27 of a companion link, the slotted end and tenon being bored at 28 This chain is adapted to be driven by oversprockets 29 and undersprockets 30, each adapted to mesh with the upper and lower teeth, respectively, of the links 23, and such sprockets are located at desired points in the machine, according to the endless path thereof, and to separate the chains (there being one chain'at each end of the bars 3) from idle bars in the head of the machine. For thispurpose, as shown in Fig. l, the chain is deflected from the bars 3 by an oversprocket 29 to a pulley or undersprocket 30, and from thence to the working bars around the small oversprocket 31.

The bars adapted to the chain just described are constructed with substantiallysquare bearing-heads 32, Figs. 2 and 6, which ride between the guides 2 and a bar-driving neck 33 and splint-paralleling grooves 34. This form of bar gives great strength at the driving-points at each end, and the heads, with the corners removed, give a broad bearing and light friction in the guides.

In Figs. 6 and 7 a working-bar-moving means is shown in which a chain is dispensed with, and it comprises sprockets 35, adapted to mesh directly with the driving-necks 33 of the bars. These sprockets may be located at any desired points of the working path and may be arranged to overlap each other, (see dotted lines in Fig. 7,) in which case the driving-necks 33 would be somewhat longer. In

this system the bars are pushed against each other by one sprocket until the next sprocket is reached,and the distance from sprocket to sprocket is determined by the amount of friction of the bar-heads in the guides, so that overlapping of the sprockets is not necessary. By gearing 35 these sprockets are driven from any desired moving part of the machine.

Referring again to Fig. 1, one system of gearing is shown to give motion to the working-bar-moving means, although my invention is not limited thereto, as this is a matter entirely within the skill of the machinebuilder. Upon the main shaft, on which is crank 9, a gear 36, meshing with the intermediates 37 and 38, the latter meshing with gear 39 on the shaft 40 of sprocket 29 and with gear 41 on the shaft of sprocket 31, which latter gear meshes with an intermediate42, which drives gear 43 on shaft 44 of the sprocket 29, all as indicated by dotted lines. In this manner or by sprocket-and-chain gearing any of the chain or bar driving sprockets may be positively driven.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a modified form of idle-bar-moving means. In this form two bars are removed to provide a single discharging and receiving space and the bar-moving means is given a travel sufficient to carry an idle-bar over a distance equal to three times the widthof a single bar. In this form rotary movement operation with less jar and friction is secured, which at the rapid rate required is a material advantage. The cutter 5 (shown .in dotted lines) presents splints into the space 11 and bar 3 is moved directly into clamping relation thereon. In this form in standards 45 on the frame 1 and above the straight guides 2 2.is mounted a crank-shaft 46, extending from side to side of the machine. 'At each side there is arranged duplicate devices of those shown, whereby the bars 3 are moved by contact with each end thereof. It is obvious that a central driving-neck may also be formed on the bar and be utilized in moving the same.-

Upon the crankshaft is mounted a lever 47, the lower end 48 of which is adapted to engage the driving-necks 33 of the bars 3. At a point above the crank connection of the lever it passes and reciprocates through a pivot-block 49, bearing in the standard 45. A gear 50, Fig. 9, on the crank-shaft 46, and suitable connections to a moving part of the machine serve to rotate the crank-sh aft in proper time relative to the travel of the working bars through the machine, as described. A matchcontacting cross-plate 51 may extend from the lever 47 to its companion on the opposite side of the machine, as do the connecting bars or rods 52, or the stationary bar 54, Fig. 11, may be used, in which case no contacting plate 51 is provided on levers 47.

As thus far described it will be seen that the end 48 of the lever 47 will describe an elongated oval path which in the direction of travel of the bars will be in contact with the drivingnecks thereof and. will move the front bar in clamping relation with completed matches, so as to deliver the same by gravity, .or with plate 51 present will positively deliver the .is utilized, and a consequent smoothness of 5 4 eta-sis matches, and in the further movementof the end 48 of:lever'47 will move theidlebar forward in-lineof travel,.so asito bring it'into clamping relation on a row of splints brought into the space 11. However, when separate dischargingand receiving spaces are employed in the seriesof idle b'ars, in .order to insure smoothness of actionand to reduce friction of the bars in .thestraight path, I may duplicate the idlesbar-moving means, as seen in Fig. 8,

connecting both bar-movers by a sprocket-(53) and chain (54) gearing, no contact-plate '51 being present on the lever 47 at the receivingspace12. ln'fact, no match-contacting plate, is required in any of the forms of idle-bar movers herein shown, as'the:matches-willdrop by gravity, or such as adhere in the grooves of :the :bar will be positively removed in the advancement of the bar by a stationarymatch+ contacting plate 54, Fig. 11, which touches the matchesabove theirheadsandibeing secured at .oneor both of its ends by screws '55 to theframe 1:) will obstruct the trave'lof the r loweriends of the matches so thatthelmoving upperends will be separated from the bar.

'In Fig. 10 the idle-bar-moving means is completely rotary in its nature, and. consists of worm-gearing which continuously feeds the idle bars without intermittent motionorstoppage of any kind, and yet so'times', the movements of the idle bars as to permit the discharge of matches by the fixed plate 54, Fig. 10, or by other means and the insertion of splints at the respective spaces 11 and 12. The bars inthis instance are provided with slots 56,. adapted to coact with the spi rally-ribbed shaft 57 or with pint-les 58, adapted to coact with the spirally-grooved shaft 59. 'In each case the rib 60 and groove 61, adjacent to the spaces '11 and 12, While a partof anddependentupon the worm-shafts for motion, are given an increased pitch, so as to quickly move bars a distance twicetheir width at each revolu'tionof theshafts, I thus'beingper se bar-movers,whileat remaini ing points the idle bars are moved continu-' ously and without separation in a time agreeing with the movement of the working bars of the machine. This is accomplished by a proper connection of the miter-gear 62, one onzeach of the shafts 57 and 59, with mitergears 63 'foreachof said gears 62 on vertical" shafts properly connected to a desired rotating shaft of the machine in a manner well known to the skilled machine-builder.

In Fig. 121 have shown a modification in which the removal of a single idle bar only, and that at the receiving-point, is necessary to provide discharging and receiving spaces inaseries-of idle bars and also a modification of the bar itself to adapt it to the =par-' ticular bar-moving means shown. In this:

case the pathof the bars 3 is straight, as 'be-' fore, the. guides 2 and frame 1 being unchanged. From the frame there projects a I broad standard 64, having gib's 65 thereon in which are mounted for reciprocation (be-i ing in this instance, though not necessarily, in a vertical plane) space-forming and barmoving slides66 and 67. These slides are reciprocated by a lever-68, slotted at each end to receive pins or cross-rods 68 projecting from each of the slides, said lever being mounted on a rock-shaft 69. It is understood that the slides and lever are duplicated at theoppos'ite side of the machine, so as to act at each end of each bar. A rock-arm 70 and connecting-rod 71, extending to the cutter-head, as in Fig. 1, or to any other desired properly-timed moving part of the machine, serve the purpose of giving a rocking motion to the shaft and to lever 68.

The bars 3 are each provided near each end with a driving-neck 72, having a clearance side 73, which may be either vertical (see Figs. 12, 13, and 14) or inclined (see Figs. 15, 16, and 17) in order to give time for the slides 66 67to rise from their lowest position without obstructing the advancement-of the idle bars in rearzthereof, as will be apparent,

as a barcan advance a'distance equal to that 1 from the front side of the bar to the clear ance s'ideor Wall 73, while a slide 6601* 67 is rising between the bars. The opposite wall of the neck'is'inclined for a short distance, as 9 5 at 74, to. give an entrance to a slide 66 or 67 and to permit it to act upon a bar to move thesamebefore it has whollypassed beneath the slide. r

V Refer-ringto Fig. 15, it will be'seen that the idle-'bar-movin g slide has descended into-contact with the face 74 of the neck 72, and by theresistance of thegibs 65 will movethe bar along until the slide reaches its lowest position. (Shown in Fig. 16.) As it ascends, the bar in rear is'still moving forward, (see Fig. 17;) but the wall 7 3 being cut away to form a clearance, as before stated, either straight orinclined,'permits such movement' until and after the slide has reached its highest point. In the meantime the bars have been separated and the completed matches 13 have beendelivered therefrom. While the slide 66has-been descending, as just described, the

slide 67 has risen, the vertical or-inclinedwall 7 30f the neck 72 permitting simultaneous advancement of the series of idle bars in rear of slide-67 until the forward bar'thereof arrives at a point beneath slide 67, so that on the descendingmovement'thereof it is forced into clamping relation with the splints 6 and the bar in front of them.

74, Fig. 12, is a cam plate adjustably mounted on slide 67 as a means of moving bars in clamping relation after they have been moved into that relation by the-slide-67 to form anew the receivingspace. This means may be also employed toinsure'the time of connection of working bars with a desired form ofworking-bar-moving means. Amatchcontactingp'late 16 may, if desiredgbe employed in connection with slide 66.

It'willbe readily understood that-other and various forms of idle-'bar-moving devices maybe employed Without a departure from the and the moving of the bars individually or.

collectively to form such space or to bring certain bars into clamping relation is such 'as is applicable to machines of the class specified, whether they embody an intermittent or a continuous movement of the working bars.

It is proper to state at this point that in the prior art shown by the particular character of machine to which, as herein shown and described, my invention is adapted the cleaner employed at the discharging-space and the knockers employed at the receiving-space each performed a feeding function upon the bar, limited, however, in extent to moving said bar a distance less than its width when it was seized and moved along by independent extraneous bar-moving means extending throughout the series of idle bars, except solely and for an extremely-limited distance at the receiving and discharging spaces. The said feeding function of the cleaner and knocker was intended solely to insure the entrance of the bars into the control of said i ndependent and extraneous bar-moving means. By my invention such independent extraneous bar-moving means is dispensed with, as also is the necessity of a curved path at the receiving-space and all of the adj unctive construction and arrangement necessitated by said curved path, one necessity being a provision of accessibility of the knockers to an idle bar in order that they could force it into clamping relation and into the control of another independent extraneous working-barmoving means. In my invention the idle-bar mover not only opens bars to discharge matches, but feeds the idle bar either by a single movement or by a succession of movements throughout its travel as an idle bar without employing bar-moving means independent of the bar mover per $6. In the modification in Fig. 10 the worms which feed the idle bars are not independent of the barmovers per se--to wit, the increased pitchthreads 61-but are a part and parcel thereof. My invention therefore contemplates a bar-mover at a discharging or at a receiving space which not only separates bars to discharge matches, but which controls and feeds all of the idle bars without the use of independent bar-moving means at and along the idle-bar series.

What I claim is 1. In a match-machine, aseries of working splint-clamping bars, means for advancing the same, a series of idle, independent, matchsplint-clamping bars arranged in a single plane, and a bar-moving means constructed and operating to form a space to discharge matches and to close a space to clamp splints; substantially as specified.

2. In a match-machine, a series of working splint-clamping bars, means for advancing the same, a series of idle independent matchsplint clamping bars arranged in a single plane, and a bar-moving means constructed and operating to simultaneously form a space to discharge matches and a space toclamp' splints; substantially as specified.

3. In a match-machine,a series of independent working and idle match-splint-clamping bars arranged in a single plane with a splintreceiving space between two successive bars and a space following bars'containing matches and bar-moving means for separating the working bars to deliver matches therefrom and for moving into clamping relation the bars at the receiving-space; substantially as specified.

4. In a match-machine, idle, independent match-splint-clamping bars arranged in a single plane, and a bar-moving means for forming splint receiving and match delivering spaces between adjacent bars; substantially as specified.

5. In a match-machine,a series of i ndependent, idle mateh-splint-cla1n pin g bars arranged in a single plane and working bars, a space be ing provided between adjacent bars arranged in the same plane as the idle bars, a carrier for said working bars, and a bar-mover for the idle bars serving to release matches from and to clamp splints between working bars; substantially as specified.

6. In a match-machine having a splintclampingbar ca rrier,a chain comprisinglinks, each having an upper link-moving tooth and lower bar-moving teeth and slotted at one end, in combinationwith sprockets adapted to mesh with opposite sides of said chain; substantially as specified.

7. In a match-machine, the combination of an endless carrier, aseries of independent bars between which splints are to be held separably connected with said carrier, means for separating from and returning said bars to said carrier, means for guiding the separated bars in a single plane, and a bar+moving and space forming and closing means adapted to enter between bars which are separated from the carrier to discharge matches therefrom, to feed said separated bars, and to bring the bars into clamping relation with splints presented thereto,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In a match-machine, the combination of an endless carrier, a series of independent bars between which splints are to he held separably connected with said carrier, means for separating from and returning said bars to said carrier, means for guiding the sepa a: i c254,;

rated bars in a single plane, anda bar-moving movinglever arranged above the sanr1e',:a ro- 2 5 and'space'forming and closing means moving" tary shaft provided with a crank-arm jourfaster than the endless carrier adapted to naled in said bar, a :pivote'd bearing at the "enter between bars which are separated from upper end of said bar through which the bar 5 the carrier to discharge matches therefrom, j recipro'cates, and means for drivingsaid shaft to :feed said separated'bars, and to bring the; and -'crank-anm; substantially as specified. 30 bars into clamping relation with splints .pre- 12. In a match-machine, a series of indesented thereto, substantially as and for the; pendent match-splinteclamping bars, a barpurposes set forth. moving lever arranged above the same, a ro- 10 9. Inamatch-machine,aser-iesofindependtaryshaft provided with a crank arm jourent match-splint-clamping bars, a lever for'l naled in said bar, a pivoted bearing at the 35 moving the same, and means driven by a ro-i upper .end of said bar through which "the bar tary'shaft for driving the lower end of said; reciprocates, means for driving said shaft and lover in a substantially-oval path; 'substan; gcrank-arm, and driving-necks upon said bars 15 tially as specified. f with which the lower ends of said levers are 10. Ina match-machine, a series of inde-i :adapted to engage in their contacting move: 40 pendent match-splint-clamping bars, a lever; ment; substantially as specified. -for moving the'same, means driven by aro-j In testimony whereof I affix my signature rt'ary shaft vfor driving the lower end of said; in presence of two witnesses.

2o lever inasubst-antially-oval path,aud'a slid-l I :ing bearingfor the upper portionof said lever; EDGAR STOCKING substantially as specified.

Witnesses:

.11. In a match-machine, a series of inde- ALFRED T. GAGE, pendent match-splint-clamping bars, a bar- WM. D. SHOEMA-KER. 

